Photos & videos

RudyM

Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class 4 years ago

The Northern City Lighthouse

Perhaps not a boat, but no pond is complete without one of these gems.
This lighthouse is fully remote controlled.
The lamp rotates at 12 rpm allowing a flash of light every 5 seconds.
A 5kg weight is mounted under the island and winched down to the bottom of the dam to anchor the island. The winch is powered by a 6V Ryobi Cordless Screw Driver's gearbox and motor.
The Fog Horn is operated by a 9V motor with a counterbalance causing a vibration inside the tower, amplifying the sound effect of a steam horn.
It's built at 1:35 scale and stands 80cm tall.

Liked by MouldBuilder and Graham93 and

4 comments

RudyMChief Petty Officer 2nd Class4 years ago
https://model-boats.com/harbour/107214
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ToraDogCommodore4 years ago
Oh,the poor blender!
What a great addition to your pond!
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david41

Master Seaman 5 years ago

1 / 2

boat Transport and lifting gear improvement

Have fitted quick release pins now instead of a threaded wingnut much quicker to take apart

Liked by MouldBuilder

david41

Master Seaman 5 years ago

1 / 7

Boat Transport and lifting gear

Made This out of plastic pipe and a piece of 15mm copper pipe and 4 wooden plugs plus wheels off a golf trolley will be keeping the rest of the golf frame as a future transporter

Liked by DWBrinkman and wayneo and

wunwinglo

Petty Officer 1st Class 5 years ago

Phillipino desk top conversion.

Ever felt sorry for those Philipino static models you see all over the place? Well I did and bought this launch from a charity shop in Didcot for a fiver. I reckoned that the fittings were worth that even if the change to working model failed. Fortunately, the model floated about right as it was and I managed to save a lot of weight to allow for the added weight of motor/batteries/ rc gear etc.

The project has not been without its problems but it should be finished and ready to maiden within a couple of weeks. Not sure that I would do this again but it has been interesting......... I intend to mount it on a boat trailer rather than a stand. Report more when she is launched.

Liked by DWBrinkman and dave976 and

jbkiwi

Fleet Admiral 5 years ago

Hartley cabin boat on trailer

Short vid taken by a friend recently, of the model, towed by the RC scratch built Jeep -(taken with his tablet, - a bit shaky but he is over 80) I probably shouldn't have been doing circles around him, but we were doing this in a carpark behind his apartment, (magic location by the way, right on a marina.) Had trouble finding reverse due to the EL Cheepo ESC,- have a new one coming. Jeep uses a geared 550 motor on 3s LiPo.

Boat is featured on waitematawoodys.com today as well, with all the big boats,- quite a privilege, as they don't often feature models! Lucky to have had my ST and HSL on there in the past also, as they were models of ex NZ RNZAF boats which were being featured.

https://waitematawoodys.com/ (site for all NZ built classic Launches)

Video by Ken R.

Liked by Martin555 and Colin H and

5 comments

NerysFleet Admiral5 years ago
Hi JB,

I'm afraid my days of building real boats are long past. I have difficulty in finding enough strength to perform even the simplest tasks, Alice has to come to my aid for almost everything these days. I was very pleased that I managed to finish the rigging of my latest barge project a few days ago with only the slightest intervention from her -and that's a model!. Actually the only time I ever built a boat from a plan was when someone gave me a part built Wharram cat. The rest of the time I built on the old adage of if it looks right, it probably is. And, blowing my own trumpet, it always seemed to work for me.

Cheers, Nerys
Like 3
Liked by Martin555 and jbkiwi and
jbkiwiFleet Admiral5 years ago
Hi Nerys, you're doing well to do what you are doing still under the circumstances, and you are not just sitting in a wicker chair staring out the window. Your models are great and a credit to you, and you are obviously enjoying them. I'm the same (re - if it looks right.......) as most of my models, (boats and planes) are scratch built or highly modified kits or resurrected and improved bin jobs from other modellers.

The only model boat I've built from a proper plan, was my Vic Smeed MTB, the rest have been from drawings from model magazines. I built a 15ft delta hulled racer in the late 70s using the 'looks right' method, and powered it with a 75hp outboard. Managed to get 50mph out of it, and it handled quite well. Blew the motor up before I could refine it unfortunately. As kid we built 8ft skimmers, powered with a 10hp outboard which were a lot of fun as well.

I've enjoyed restoring 5 small boats (plus a f/glass clinker sailing dinghy for my son) and completely fitting out my Hartley from a shell, but the price of materials is getting prohibitive these days, and approaching the price of a small new car to build anything around 20ft. My 15ft day sailer for example (built 1986) would probably cost around $12,000 to build today complete. Not a lot of home building these days unfortunately due to the cost,- cheaper to buy a second hand boat ready to sail or motor.

I think we are lucky to be able to build from an idea without a plan and have it work, as many people are not as fortunate. Perhaps boating experience gives you an idea of how things should work. We have a top boatbuilding company here who started building fantastic launches, starting with a 'looks right' half model,- taking measurements from it and scaling them up. Has worked well for them since the 50s

Stay Safe.
JB
Like 1
Liked by Martin555

tomarack

Sub-Lieutenant 13 years ago

1 / 4

RC model Lulonga river tug

I built this model during four long years. my Lulonga is nearly whole scratchbuilt model (about 75 cm long) except the steering wheel and position lamps.
The model has a plywood and balsa hull construction ,plywood decks,from hard polystyrene sheets made superstructure,laminated with veneer. Sidewheels with skew paddles, two DC 12V independent electric motors with gearboxes controlled by ESC. Electric LED lights, steam sound module, sirene and horn.Tx/Rx 6 channel HK 2,4GHz.
completion expected in spring 2014
More infos about building you find at > www.paddleducks.co.uk <

some videos are here at Model Boats too >
http://mdlbt.com/19852

wiring diagram you can see here in my albums
http://tomarack.rajce.idnes.cz/RC_model_Lulonga#lulongaelschema1.jpg

Liked by billmcl61 and RNinMunich and

2 comments

AlanPLieutenant13 years ago
Very nice looking model tamarack 👍
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ZdenekAble Seaman13 years ago
Nice model, Tom 👍
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jbkiwi

Fleet Admiral 5 years ago

HARTLEY FLARELINE, FIRST CRACK AT TRAILER LAUNCHING.

I decided to risk a salt water trial, as there is no place I can think of with fresh water and a smooth beach or ramp which doesn't involve a 100 mile round trip (most beaches where I am are ocean beaches and others are soft sand/shell. The only lake I can think of is 112km away and I'm not THAT keen. Launching went ok but retrieval was another matter, not helped by an 8mph side wind (looks calm but is windy) Had a number of goes and discovered a few things which need changing, (extra front guide posts and rollers either end of the pads) The rubber resting pads stick like glue so I'll have to make some pop up rollers at the ends.

The pads hold the boat slightly above the centre rollers to avoid damage and stop it sliding off while shifting it. New front guide posts are needed as the boat only draws about 30mm and goes right over the trailer with it underwater 😮(no prop or rudder sticking out,) so it might help locate it when coming in. Jeep had truckloads of power (just fitted a new even lower geared -geared motor -1000rpm/min @ 12v), but unfortunately being only 2x2 (not 4x4) and being half the weight of the boat/trailer combo it couldn't get a grip in the mud, so needed a bit of assistance, (as did the boat getting onto the trailer). Cut out most of the vid with the boat missing the trailer about 10 times, but scored a direct hit once😊. Heaps of fun trying and heaps of washing and CRC when I got home! Going to need some new bearings at some stage, - the ones in it are rubbish and have only lasted for about a few hours running, noisy as anything now, even with gallons of oil. Stainless NMB ones next if I don't change the jet to something else, (another thought on propulsion happening)💡

Liked by Smaragd and redpmg and

23 comments

redpmgCommodore5 years ago
Hi JB - Martins eBay one looks like the place to start - add metal diffs and a good body - away you go .
Was thinking its a pity you are stuck with two transmitters - be nice to only use one like the old Futaba/Graupner F14 set they used for the German Rescue & Daughter boats..........
Like 2
Liked by Martin555 and jbkiwi
jbkiwiFleet Admiral5 years ago
Hi Peter, I could probably drive the boat on the right stick, and the truck on the left stick of the 9x TX,- I'd just have to sort out the smoke/air/water pump starting, which at present uses the left stick moved right and left to start/stop. The smoke etc doesn't run all the time, (just for starting as a display thing) and can be turned off at any time with Grahams clever little control board. It's not too much of a problem really though,- if I was better organised, I could probably hang one over each shoulder (or clamp them back to back)😁

JB
Like 3
Liked by Rogal118 and redpmg and

ianed57

Sub-Lieutenant 6 years ago

Motor Tug Seahorse

While I'm at it I have put up this video of my tug. I had been having problems with this and I completely replaced everything inside. Turns out the rudder servo was dodgy and the motor, a geared 500 was far too poky. It now performs beautifully and very quietly. Obviously it's an old Graupner Bugsier but refurbished by me to look a bit more like a British tug. The motor is a low noise 500 with direct drive mounted on a rubber sheet - the only noise is a whine from the esc.

Liked by tony29h and MouldBuilder and

Martin555

Fleet Admiral 7 years ago

1 / 15

HMS Cottesmore

I just thought I would post some photos of my HMS Cottesmore.
She is still a work in progress.
I have been working on her for about three years now.(in between other projects)
I purchased the hull And running gear from Fleetscale.
Everything else has been made by myself using odds and ends, bits and pieces including yogurt pots and a lot of LED's
I have a few more years work to do before she is completed, lots more bits to make.

Liked by jbkiwi and Graham93 and

10 comments

Martin555Fleet Admiral5 years ago
Thank's Bill.
The Build Log shows a lot more such as the Gun rotating and the lighting systems.

Martin555.
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Martin555Fleet Admiral5 years ago
Thanks for the compliment JB.
I will get back to working on these two projects someday.

Martin555.
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Cashrc

Admiral 7 years ago

Neptun maiden

Just built Krick RO-Marin Neptun. First tug I’ve built, she came out okay, I think. 6volt system, MFA 2.5 geared motor, Graupner SXM switch controlling the lights, older Pixie brushed esc controlling water monitor pump. Old Futaba MC210 for motor esc, Frysky QX7 radio. This video was shot at Towne Lake, McKinney Texas. She well on her maiden, needs about 2-4 ounces ballast in the stern though.

Liked by EAGLE and Donnieboy and

3 comments

CashrcAdmiral7 years ago
Thanks everybody for the kind words, I do appreciate it!😁
Like 1
Liked by figtree7nts
tidtugChief Petty Officer 2nd Class7 years ago
Very stable on the water and water sqirts wonderful nice boat.
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DELVEIN

Able Seaman 7 years ago

PT 109

I have been building my scratch build PT 109 for the last 3 months, working sometimes only one or two evenings in the week. As you must all know you can only do so much before you have to stop and wait for glue or paint to dry :( but at last it is now completed, RC gear installed and a mighty 48" in length at 1/20 scale. Next will be the lake and a final trial run, I completed a 'bath' test a couple of days ago and it only just fitted in the bath but both motors run great. hope you like. Andy

#gear

Liked by Raydelve and Yngvegr and

5 comments

RNinMunichFleet Admiral7 years ago
Sounds good to me DELVEIN 👍 PLEASE start a Build Blog about your project.
I'm sure it would be an inspiration to many members, not least me 😉
I propose to fit the centre motor as a simple brushed job with independent control, as RHBaker did with his superb Brave Borderer MTB. Centre motor for cruising and manoeuvring, two outer brushless for full power 'action' manoeuvring. So far I've only renovated the hull, way to go yet.
Looking forward to the vid of your Sea Trials👍
Cheers, Doug 😎
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JBRCfloatsLeading Seaman7 years ago
Beautiful job.
Like 1
Liked by watson220

Ronald

Fleet Admiral 7 years ago

1 / 6

Neptun

Was given this as a hull which had been started 25 yrs ago, along with some superstructure parts. Without other materials to finish it off, I gave it what I could find and here is where it is today.

Motor is 340 Graupner geared 3:1 & 7.2v 2400 NiMH

Can not provide any specific sailing details until it has been in the pond which could be awhile...se my front and back yard!

#hull #parts #superstructure

Liked by Cashrc and Colin H and

3 comments

RowenCaptain7 years ago
Looks good Ron, what scale is she?
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Colin HFleet Admiral7 years ago
Nice quality model. Look forward to seeing it on the water.
Cheers Colin.
Like 1
Liked by watson220

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